Serena struggles against unknown Russian

MADRID, Spain – Serena Williams was not quite sure how she survived one of the longest matches of her career on a chilly, windy day at the Caja Magica.

But after a 3-hour, 26-minute battle against Russia's Vera Dushevina, which she pulled out, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, Serena said it was "all about looking to the future."

Last week in Rome - her first tournament since winning the Australian Open - Williams lost in the semifinal from match point up. This time, she came through from match point down, which was some kind of improvement, although 72 errors should go down as a worry.

Amazingly, although this was her second appearance here at the Mutua Madrilena Open, she professed not to have realized that Madrid is situated about 3,000 feet above sea level - a geographical detail that results in sending tennis balls flying through the air faster than usual.

That, presumably, was responsible for some of the balls that flew into the net or wide of the sideline at inopportune moments but, to be fair to her opponent, many of Serena's problems were caused by the Russian's Nadal-like refusal to let any ball get past her.

Dushevina, who is ranked 43 in the world but looked better than that today, also served well on the numerous occasions on which Williams pushed her to the brink of a break. She also came up with some penetrating service returns, not least when reaching match point on Serena's serve at 5-6 in the second set.

Williams saved that with more assurance than she had been showing in the previous few games, but at 3-3 in the second-set tiebreaker, Dushevina hit a screamer that left her leading 4-3 with two serves to come. Williams rallied to grab them both; finally getting in to the net on the second to power a drive volley out of Dushevina's reach.

Williams eventually took that breaker 7-5, but the match was still in the balance when she disappeared to have her right thigh strapped at 3-2 in the third. Her mobility did not seem to be impaired, however, and after more long, testing rallies, she emerged with a 5-2 lead.

Not enough. Two of the six double faults she served in the match gave Dushevina the chance to fight back, which the 23-year-old did with gusto. Another double fault on the first point led to Serena trailing 0-4 in the deciding breaker. But then the champion emerged, and she reeled off six straight points as poor Vera lost her nerve. One match point was saved, but Serena's serve took care of the second to wrap it up, 7-5.

"After three hours out there, I thought I had better win," Williams said, managing a smile. "I wanted to hang in there because I need more matches under my belt."

There were occasions when Serena let out screams of self-encouragement. "I was trying to get myself going," she said. "I need energy and emotion. Letting (it) out helps me get energized."

Not many men were in action, but Gael Monfils, who has also been off the tour injured, wasted little time reaching Round 2 with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over fellow Frenchman Stephane Robert.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray, who is in need of a bit of inspiration just now, was taken off to a cinema to promote something new for the game. On finals day, cinemas in Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga will be showing a telecast of the matches - in 3D.

"That's a first for tennis, I think," said tournament director Manolo Santana, who was winning Wimbledon and Forest Hills not long after 3D was first tried over 50 years ago. "I think it will be quite exciting seeing a big serve coming straight at you."